beast

noun

ˈbēst 

1

a

: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from other animals

b

: an animal that is not a human being

c

: an animal as distinguished from a plant

d

: an animal under human control

2

: a contemptible person

3

: something formidably difficult to control or deal with

Synonyms of beast

• brute
• villain
• monster
• savage
• devil
• criminal

Examples of beast in a Sentence

dogs and other four-footed beasts

the birds and beasts of the forest

They were attacked by a savage beast.

He's a cruel, hateful beast!

Recent Examples on the Web

Rising independent wrestler Dono Hefner is looking to tame that beast. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Riders without their dragons are as good as dead, and vice versa, which stresses the bond between human and beast formed on Threshing Day. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

The rest of the series takes place inside the belly of the beast. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

The kind of beast Riley and the Trojans have struggled to slay. — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beste, from Anglo-French, from Latin bestia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing beast

• beast epic
• beast fable
• beast mode
• beast of burden
• different beast
• go beast mode
• the belly of the beast

Rhymes for beast

• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

beast

noun

ˈbēst 

1

a

: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from human beings and from lower animals both with and without backbones

b

: a farm animal especially when kept for heavy work

2

: a mean or brutal person